European markets and politics are in motion this week, with London’s FTSE 100 easing slightly after record highs, even as utilities surged on strong energy investment plans.
In Brussels, the EU unveiled its “Democracy Shield” to curb disinformation with help from Big Tech and influencers.
Meanwhile, France froze its pension reform, and Italy braces for widespread transport strikes amid growing union tensions.
A glance at the major developments in Europe today.
FTSE 100 dips after record highs
London’s FTSE 100 slipped just a touch, down 0.1% to 9,886 on Wednesday, after hitting record highs for two straight sessions.
The dip came mostly from weakness in industrials, which fell 1.3%, dragged down by a 3.1% drop in Experian. Energy stocks also cooled off, with BP down 0.8% and Shell easing 0.3% as oil prices softened.
On the bright side, utilities were the standout of the day, jumping 2.4%. SSE led the charge with a massive 12.3% surge after unveiling a £33 billion plan to boost investment in electricity networks and renewables over the next five years.
Meanwhile, the mid-cap FTSE 250 inched up 0.1%, buoyed by optimism around a possible end to the US government shutdown and anticipation for fresh UK GDP figures ahead of the upcoming budget.
EU targets disinformation with Big Tech
The European Union is stepping up its fight against fake news and disinformation, and this time, it’s teaming up with big tech and even social media influencers.
Under a new plan called the “Democracy Shield”, the European Commission wants platforms like Google, Microsoft, Meta, TikTok, and X to get tougher on detecting and labeling manipulated or AI-generated content.
It’s essentially an upgrade to the existing Digital Services Act, putting more responsibility on these platforms to protect users and democracy itself.
But the EU isn’t stopping there.
It’s also looking to create a voluntary network of influencers who can help spread awareness about democratic values and online responsibility, basically using social media’s own power for good.
To keep everything coordinated, a new European Centre for Democratic Resilience will serve as a hub for information sharing among member states.
The goal? Build a united front against hybrid threats like disinformation, before they can erode public trust.
France suspends controversial pension reform
In a major political twist, French lawmakers have voted to hit pause on the controversial 2023 pension reform, the one that aimed to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64.
The vote passed 255 to 146, keeping the retirement age at 62 years and nine months until after the 2027 presidential election.
The move is seen as a big concession to the Socialist Party, whose support was crucial for Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu to fend off no-confidence votes and keep his shaky government afloat.
For ordinary French citizens, it’s a win; about 3.5 million people will now be able to retire earlier than planned.
But financially, it’s a setback. The delay is expected to cost the government around €400 million in 2026 and €1.8 billion in 2027, putting a dent in its deficit reduction plans.
Still, the political storm isn’t over. Both far-left and far-right parties remain fiercely opposed to the government, keeping France’s political landscape as volatile as ever.
Italy braces for major strikes
Italy is gearing up for two major national strikes, and the country’s transport network could feel the heat.
The Union Sindacale di Base (USB), known for its hardline stance, has called a nationwide strike on November 28, followed by a big demonstration in Rome on November 29.
The protests target the government’s 2026 budget and its position on Israel.
Not to be outdone, the more mainstream CGIL union is planning its own strike just a couple of weeks later, on December 12.
Travelers are being warned to brace for major disruptions, especially around November 27–28, when rail workers are expected to walk out. Air travel, local transport, and other sectors could also be hit.
Beyond the strikes themselves, there’s growing concern over the rivalry between USB and CGIL, which could prolong unrest in Italy’s transport sector well into the winter.
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